Engineering cadetships

Marine engineer officers are responsible for the maintenance and operation of a ship's main propulsion machinery and auxiliary plant, including deck machinery, air conditioning plants, refrigeration plants and domestic and electrical services. Depending on the type of ship and the operational circumstances, engineer officers will be required to keep watches in the ship's engine room.

Marine electro-technical officers (METOs) are specialist officers who work within the engineering department where they take particular responsibility for the maintenance of onboard control engineering and electronic systems including propulsion control, radio communications and electronic navigation aids. With the increased use of modern technologies the demand for METOs is rapidly growing to manage and maintain the sophisticated range of electrical, electronic and engineering equipment at sea.

To become an officer in the merchant navy, you must undertake an officer cadet training programme, which involves academy-based education integrated with periods of practical training at sea. The maritime education and training must be completed in order to achieve professional seafaring certification and related educational qualifications.

We offer a number of three-year engineer officer cadet training programmes approved by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB). All of the programmes lead to professional certification by the MCA and, depending on the route followed, one of the following academic awards:

All UK officer cadet training programmes are financed or sponsored by a number of shipping companies and maritime recruitment specialists, in order to complete the sea time elements of the training programme. The benefits are excellent, as the sponsorship covers the cost of course tuition fees and provides a salary or training allowance to officer cadets throughout their training. Anyone wishing to undertake an officer cadetship should apply directly to the shipping companies and their representatives, not to Warsash or UCAS.

Companies normally start the recruitment process around January each year for entry in the following September or January. Companies conduct their communication and interview process directly with the applicant.